Democritus -- Frag. 53a (Diels) [tr. Barnes (1987)]

Dave — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 17:23:52 +0000

Many perform the foulest deeds and rehearse the fairest words.

[Πολλοὶ δρῶντες τὰ αἴσχιστα λόγους ἀρίστους ἀσκέουσιν.]

Democritus (c. 460 BC - c. 370 BC) Greek philosopher
Frag. 53a (Diels) [tr. Barnes (1987)]
(Source)

Diels citation "53a. (122 b N.) DEMOKRATES. 19.2. (Stob. II, 15, 33)" Bakewell lists this under "The Golden Sayings of Democritus." Freeman notes this as one of the Gnômae, from a collection called "Maxims of Democratês," but because Stobaeus quotes many of these as "Maxims of Democritus," they are generally attributed to the latter.

Alternate translations:

"Many who do the basest deeds can make most learned speeches." [tr. Bakewell (1907)]
"Many whose actions are most disgraceful practise the best utterances." [tr. Freeman (1948)].
"Many who do the worst things prepare the best speeches." [@sentantiq (2020), fr. 54]

WIST Quotations

Democritus -- Frag. 53a (Diels) [tr. Barnes (1987)]